Four people have been arrested and charged in New York for allegedly operating a fraudulent immigration scheme that impersonated U.S. government officials and defrauded victims seeking legal help with their immigration cases.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency assisted in an investigation that led to a five-count indictment against the suspects, who are accused of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and impersonating officers or employees of the United States, including immigration officials.
The indictment was partially unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, where the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced the charges.
Three of the defendants — Daniela Alejandra Sanchez Ramirez, Jhoan Sebastian Sanchez Ramirez and Alexandra Patricia Sanchez Ramirez — were arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport while attempting to board a one-way flight to Colombia. Another defendant, Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda, was arrested at a restaurant in New Jersey. Authorities said a fifth suspect remains outside U.S. custody.
Prosecutors say the group posed as immigration attorneys and ran a fictitious firm called CM Bufete De Abogados Consultoria Migratoria. They allegedly targeted potential clients primarily through Facebook, charging fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars for immigration services and legal advice that did not exist. None of the defendants or their associates were licensed attorneys in any U.S. jurisdiction.
Investigators said the suspects sent victims documents designed to appear official, using symbols associated with U.S. government agencies and referencing real immigration cases pending in court. Authorities said the documents falsely suggested that victims’ cases had been resolved.
The indictment also alleges the defendants staged fake immigration proceedings, including asylum interviews and court hearings conducted via videoconference. During those sessions, conspirators allegedly impersonated immigration judges, officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Some reportedly wore judicial robes or law enforcement uniforms and appeared in front of backgrounds designed to resemble courtrooms or government offices.
During the sham hearings, victims were asked sensitive personal questions and instructed to provide personal identification information, authorities said.
In some cases, victims were falsely told their immigration matters had been resolved. As a result, prosecutors said some failed to appear for legitimate court hearings. At least one victim was ordered deported after missing a real immigration court appearance while believing her case had already been handled. That deportation order was later reversed.
Investigators have identified more than $100,000 in fraudulent payments made to the defendants and others associated with the fake firm.
Authorities said the charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in prison.
